The Steel Guitar Forum

Chip;
When you take the computer in to a repair shop to have the OS reinstalled as an in-place upgrade, and have it disinfected from malware, let them know that you would like to keep you primary account type as Limited User. Have them create or repair your other administrator level account so you can switch into it when needed. Have them check every normal function, including rebooting into safe mode.

On a side note, if you manage to save all of your data files to CDs, DVDs or a thumbdrive, you can have do your own system restore, using the eMachines DVD. When you get back into the new Windows desktop you can reinstall your applications, and restore your data files. Before you log off be sure to save your cookies, bookmarks, passwords, favorites, etc, to exported files, to external disks. \You can import cookies and favorites after the new installation is completed.

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
<small>Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage. Get Firefox Here.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices. My FAQs.</small>

Well, I have reformatted those other PC's I mentioned, in the past. I have CDs of many of my programs, and passwords written down for others, and the "free" stuff can always be retrieved.

I just gotta get my myself psyched-up to go thru this again.

For instance, I did not get a CD for Trojan Hunter - just bought it online, so I'll have to go and get my username and password for TH; and a few others, too.

I may as well do this myself. But, god, I dread it.

How do you switch accounts, without having to reboot?

<SMALL>Can you use them over and over, or are they a one-shot deal? ie. - get everything on there all at once?</SMALL>

They are reusable, but once you reach the capacity of the device you will have to transfer (move) the existing data to another drive, or hard drive, to clear up the space for use as removable storage.

I just checked, and my used space is 19.3GB.

That looks like about ten of those 2GB thumbdrives.

Whew! How much are those 2GB buggers, anyway?

Chip;
It sure would be a lot cheaper to buy a 250 gb external USB drive. You can get them for around $100 to $150.

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
<small>Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage. Get Firefox Here.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices. My FAQs.</small>

Thanks again, Wiz.

Can you recommend a good brand? I just don't trust Maxtor, anymore.

<SMALL>How do you switch accounts, without having to reboot?</SMALL>

Chip;
Switching user accounts is as easy as right-clicking on your Recycle Bin icon and left-clicking to select "Switch User." This will take you to the Windows Welcome Screen where you can click on the desired user account and log in.

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
<small>Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage. Get Firefox Here.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices. My FAQs.</small>

Western Digital

I'll go to COMPUSA tommorrow and get one, and get going on backing-up.

Wiz - I think I'll give this topic a rest for now. And you probably want a break from it, too.

I appreciate all that you do, not just for me, but others as well, here in COMPUTERS.

Let me know if you need more help with this and good luck with the project.

I'm happy to be able to help the SGF members with their computer problems and security concerns. I get my powers from my Kryptonite Bar!

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
<small>Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage. Get Firefox Here.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices. My FAQs.</small>

BRAVO!

Wiz - I thought all computer manufacturers and builders were required to give you the original system disc for your computer. They all seem to get away with the "restore" disc BS. I had the same trouble with my Sony Vaio laptop and had to buy a copy of Win XP to get around exactly the same problem you've been discussing here.

<SMALL> 250 gb external USB drive. You can get them for around $100 to $150.</SMALL>

Even less now actually. Iomega 250 GB drive was $89.95 at Fry's last week, assuming they will actually send the $40 rebate.

Bill asked me; <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR><SMALL>
Wiz - I thought all computer manufacturers and builders were required to give you the original system disc for your computer.
</SMALL><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
No, they are not required to supply the OS on a manufacturer's disk. Many hide those files in a separate D Partition that is activated either by a restore CD at bootup, or from a command within Windows to run a full system restoration. The only legal obligation regarding a Windows OS is that the license is legitimate and has not been used previously, and the hologram sticker is supplied to you, usually on the side or back of the case. It is up to the builder to decide if or how to deliver a copy of the setup/recovery files to their customers. The less you pay for a new computer, the less likely you are to receive a copy of the OS on a separate CD.

BTW: Windows Vista will not fit on a CD, so when it is shipped it will be on DVDs. Hopefully, the builders will have the decency to supply those DVDs to their customers, but with huge hard drives available they may not. Of course, if your huge hard drive containing the Windows setup files should seize up ...

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Bob "Wiz" Feinberg
Moderator of the SGF Computers Forum
<small>Visit my Wiztunes Steel Guitar website at: http://www.wiztunes.com/
or my computer troubleshooting website: Wizcrafts Computer Services,
or my Webmaster Services webpage. Get Firefox Here.
Learn about current computer virus and security threats here.
Read Wiz's Blog for security news and update notices. My FAQs.</small><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Wiz Feinberg on 09 October 2006 at 09:45 AM.]</p></FONT>

I checked compUSA over the weekend, and the cheapest Western Digital EXERNAL drive they offer is $138.99. It spins at 7500RPM and is 120GB in size. USB and Firewire 400 connection.

Problem is, they have to be ordered. NOT IN STOCK.

I don't have time now, but I'm gonna see if I can locate that Omega, EB mentioned.

I've already got a problem, and I'm locked into Limited Acct. anyway, and most updates I still can get, so I'm not panicking as much, now.

In the past reformats I had to do, yeah, I lost some stuff, but I still have those old back-up CDs, too. What I lost, hasn't affected me adversely, at least not that I can tell, so I'm not too anxious.

I really don't need 120GB, or even 250GB. But
I'd rather pay $50, than $140. Western Digital is probably a better bet, but.......
what the heck......everything in this PC business, to me anyway, is a crapshoot.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by CHIP FOSSA on 09 October 2006 at 01:39 PM.]</p></FONT>